Woods Sacrificed U.S. Open Appearance to Be Ready for The Open at St. Andrews

Tiger Woods is in Europe for a final tune-up before next week’s Open Championship at St. Andrews, and Woods said while at the JP McManus Pro-Am in Ireland that his top focus this summer was to be ready for the 150^th edition of the historic event.

In typical Woods fashion, he’s not teeing it up at what he’s called his favorite course next week just to be a part of the festivities; he’s in it to win it.

 

 

 

 

 

 

View this post on Instagram

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A post shared by Tiger Woods (@tigerwoods)

Woods told reporters Tuesday:

“I had some issues with my leg, and it would have put this tournament in jeopardy, and so there’s no reason to do that… This is a pretty historic Open that we are going to be playing. I’m lucky enough to be part of the past champions that have won there, and want to play there again, and I don’t know when they are ever going to go back while I’m still able to play at a high level.”

Woods’ history at the “Home of Golf” is well-documented. His first Open appearance was as an amateur in 1995 when he made the cut and finished tied for 68^th. On his next trip to St. Andrews in 2000, he won by eight strokes. He won again in 2005, finished 23^rd in 2010, and missed the cut in 2015.

After missing over a year following a serious car crash that left his left leg mangled, Woods returned at the Masters to make the cut and finished 47^th. He made the cut at the PGA Championship a month later but visibly struggled and withdrew after a 79 in the third round.

We leave you with some Tiger magic from day one of the JP McManus Pro-Am on Monday:

hello, happy 4th of July, here’s Tiger Woods chipping in for eagle pic.twitter.com/psfjd5aJjx

— Dylan Dethier (@dylan_dethier) July 4, 2022